4/1/13
According to Maro Evangelidou, General Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, the Ministry of Finances is examining a proposal to expand the criteria for the heating benefit, in an effort to reduce the smog derived from wood burning.
On a Thursday meeting was held at the Ministry of Environment with representatives from the ministries of Health, Growth and Environment, as well s representatives of the National Meteorological Agency and deputy professor D. Sarigiannis of the “TRANSPHORM” program.
At the meeting several options were considered, such as the subsidy for the upgrade of fireplaces, increasing checks on fuel and heaters, stricter examination of boilers and greater coordination between pollution measurement centers, as well as informing the public.
The General Secretary stated that “the smog problem is serious, has been getting worse and the consequences are long term”. Mrs. Evangelidou explained that the situation has been exacerbated due to the increase of fireplaces, but a strategic plan was activated in time.
